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Life in Shanghai: A Glimpse Beyond the Lockdown

04.01.20

In the US we are continuing to see tightening social regulations declared in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, with many states extending the closure of communal spaces until early May. Faced with so many unknowns, it’s only natural to wonder what life might look like on the other side. While many differences can be observed between Chinese and western response, we can look to our neighbors to the east for a glimpse into what life might look like on the other side of COVID-19’s bell-curve.

Using QR Codes to Monitor Status

We asked Otmar Klaas, Worrell Shanghai’s Managing Director, to share some insights on life in re-emerging China, including how China is generating and leveraging Personal Health QR codes to minimize continued transmission of the COVID-19 virus while allowing low-risk individuals to resume many aspects of life as it was before. A green QR code allows Otmar into the office and a red QR code for Worrell’s property manager results in a strict 14-day quarantine after her Didi driver (a popular Chinese ride hailing app) tested positive for COVID-19.

Otmar Klaas is Worrell Shanghai’s incoming Managing Director. Otmar has many years of design experience in China, he was trained in Industrial Design and Human Factors at TU Delft in the Netherlands and studied Chinese at Tsinghua University. He will be taking charge while Pete Madson returns back to Worrell Minneapolis after 12 years in China.

Slowing the Spread Internationally

In addition to QR codes, the use of temperature checks at office buildings, restaurants and other public places has been well established. Across China and most of Asia individuals are also taking measures to protect themselves from transmitting COVID-19 by wearing personal face masks in public. Many are pointing to the use of protective face masks as one of the most overlooked public health interventions.

Up Next

See next week’s article on Worrell’s clinical-grade protective mask designed for consumers coming to market shortly.